Translation (Mandarin → English):
"Hehe…"
Along with a soft laugh, the appearance of the middle-aged woman in front of Mike suddenly changed.
Her skin rippled like waves, transforming from head to toe in an instant. The middle-aged woman turned into a strange figure with blue skin.
Though her figure was alluring, her entire body was blue, with darker blue scales covering key areas. Her red hair added an eerie charm, making her look both seductive and unsettling.
Mystique—Raven.
Mutants existed in this world, yet what puzzled Mike was that he had never heard of the two pillars of mutantkind: Professor X and Magneto.
Raven looked at Mike, a faint smile curling her lips. "How did you recognize me?"
Mike replied, "You're holding the baby wrong."
A woman who had given birth to three children would never hold a baby incorrectly.
Raven suddenly understood and nodded. Seeing Mike still staring at her coldly, she smiled and said, "What? Not used to seeing me like this? How about this?"
As she spoke, the blue skin faded, revealing a blonde woman.
Her figure remained just as stunning, but interestingly, beneath her seductive aura, her delicate features appeared pure.
This was her true appearance.
Mike remained expressionless. Dressed in casual clothes, Raven walked over holding Clark and teased, "So cold? Back then in bed—"
Mike's eye twitched. "How did you find this place?"
"You think it's hard for me to follow you?" Raven replied casually, reaching out to stroke Mike's face, her tone playful. "Still so shy. That's what I like most about you."
Then she suddenly asked, "Is it worth it? For this child?"
Without hesitation, Mike nodded firmly. "Worth it."
It was a decision he had made two months ago.
"Worth it!?" Raven stuffed Clark back into Mike's arms. He fumbled for a moment but quickly held the baby securely, sighing in relief when the little one wasn't startled.
Seeing this, the anger in Raven's eyes grew stronger. "You think just because you say you're even with the organization, you're actually done?"
Mike smiled faintly. "First tell me—why are you here?"
Raven snorted. "If I said I came to have your child, would you believe me?"
Looking at Clark, whom Mike was protectively holding, Raven felt a flicker of jealousy.
If only her parents had protected her like that when she was young…
Mike gave her a look that clearly said as if I'd believe that, which annoyed her.
She walked over and sat down, crossing her long legs. "Sloane sent me."
"He knows about this place? About the child?"
Mike frowned.
Raven shook her head. "No. I didn't tell anyone."
She had discovered the place by accident—overhearing Mike on a phone call, then secretly following him back out of curiosity the last time he returned.
Mike looked at her seriously. "Thank you."
Raven waved it off. "Consider it repaying you for saving me before."
Mike adjusted Clark in his arms, letting him rest against his chest while gently patting his back.
The little guy yawned and slowly closed his eyes.
Watching Mike's actions, Raven looked speechless.
Who would imagine that this man—who killed without blinking, known as the King of Assassins—could be so gentle while lulling a baby to sleep?
"You—"
"Shh!"
Mike gestured for silence. He walked to the crib, carefully placing the already-asleep Clark inside, tucking him in with a small blanket. Then he pointed outside and walked out first.
Raven stood up, made a funny face at Clark, then followed him out.
Downstairs, Raven sat on the couch. After Mike poured her a glass of water, she rested her chin on her hand, studying him as if seeing him for the first time.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I'm wondering what kind of woman stole your heart—and even had a child with you."
"I found the child."
"Found him?" Raven exclaimed, then muttered, "You're crazy."
Risking being hunted down by the organization for a baby he picked up—what else could that be?
Mike chuckled indifferently. "So what does Sloane want? Or rather… what's he planning?"
Sloane—a man full of ambition.
Raven smirked. "You see right through things. So why would you—"
"Don't bring up the child again. I've already decided." Mike lifted his cup. Steam rose, obscuring his face as he said calmly, "I suddenly got tired of that kind of life."
Raven fell silent for a moment. "Sloane wants to make a deal with you."
"A deal?" Mike set down the cup. "He wants to let me leave safely in exchange for me killing Kuqi?"
Kuqi—the current leader of the Assassin Alliance. If he died, Sloane could take his place.
Raven nodded.
Mike remained calm. "Do you think I can trust him?"
"Fifty-fifty. At least he won't be like Kuqi—Kuqi will never let you go."
Mike closed his eyes and thought for a few seconds, then nodded. "After I kill Kuqi, I want you to do me a favor."
Raven paused, then smiled playfully. "Why should I help you?"
"I'll owe you one."
"Deal."
She agreed without hesitation.
Mike's favor was valuable.
"And I want to meet Sloane."
"When?"
"Tomorrow."
"I'll arrange it."
After chatting a bit more, Raven left.
As for Clark's nanny, Raven had transformed into Mike and told her to go home for the night.
In other words, Mike would be taking care of Clark tonight.
"Waaah! Waaah!"
Clark's crying suddenly came from upstairs. Mike's eyes narrowed, his heart pounding as he rushed upstairs at incredible speed to the baby.
When infants cry, it's usually for two reasons: hunger or… the other need.
Having been a father in his previous life, Mike understood this much.
"Stay calm…"
He checked—fortunately, Clark hadn't soiled himself. While soothing him, Mike quickly prepared some formula.
After a few minutes, once the milk was at the right temperature, he fed Clark, his mind drifting to other matters.
Sloane wanted control of the Assassin Alliance, and Kuqi was the biggest obstacle. Not only was he the leader, he was also one of only two Kings of Assassins.
Only a King of Assassins could deal with another.
That's why Sloane had sent Raven to find Mike.
Kuqi, as the leader, was someone Mike knew fairly well.
And that man would never allow someone who could threaten the organization to simply walk away.
An agreement was an agreement—Kuqi wouldn't break his word. He would let Mike leave safely, but once he left, Mike would no longer be part of the organization. At that point, killing him wouldn't violate any agreement.
Once you step into this world, you can't leave it easily…
Mike's eyes darkened.
But when he looked down and saw Clark drinking milk while curiously staring at him, the darkness instantly vanished, replaced by a gentle smile.
Then the smile froze.
The kid… had pooped.